Bag packaging machine



June 16, 1953 c. F. RICHARD 2,641,882

BAG PAOKAGING MACHINE waar@ June 16, 1953 c. F. RICHARD 2,641,882

BG PACKAGING MACHINE Filed nec. 2, 1949 io sheets-sheet 2 67m rZeSJT'RZm-fd, ,r1-mga? wrm@ June 16, 1953 c. F. RICHARD' 2,641,882

BAG PACKAGING MACHINE File'd Dec. 2, 1949 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 (By @W7-7&0 wmf June 16, 1953 F. mHARD 2,641,882

BAG PACKAGING MACHINE Fild nec. 2, 1949 1o sheets-sheet 4 115. 107 11i jaar, Jy 117 June 16, 1953 F, RICHAD 2,641,882

BAG PACKAGmG MACHINE Filed Dec. 2, 1949 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Juxe 16, 1953 F. RICHARD BG'PACKAGING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 2, 1949 lll June16,1953

c. F. RICHARD BAG PACKAGING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed Dec. 2., 1949 llellllllllllWi-l lll/111111111111111111101 June 16, 1953 Filed Dec. 2, 1949 C. F. RICHARD BAG PACKAGING MACHINE 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 ffy@ Wfl-ora?.

June 16, 1953 F, RlcHARD 2,641,882

BAG PACKAGING MACHINE Filed Dec'. 2, 1949 1o sheets-sheet 9 Patented June 16, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BAG PACKAGING MACHINE n Charles F. Richard, Williamsville, N. Y., assignor to Niagara Packaging Machinery a corporation of'New York Corporation,

' Application December 2, 1949,r Serial No. 130,620

My invention relates to a packaging machine, and more particularly to a machine for packaging foods, confections and other bulk wares, in cellophane or other bags formed of foldable and sealable material.

15 Claims. (Cl. 53-144) One of the objects of my invention is to provide y a machine of the type mentioned which willautomatically pass open partly-filled bags or other exible containers through the machine, fold'the bags over the contents in order to close the same, v f seal the folded portions of the bags Vanddeliver them from the machine in condition to be marketed, all under a continuous operation of novel parts or assembly of parts of comparatively simple constructionand highly effective in operation.

f open end of the bag and sealing the same.

Still further objects are to provide rmeans for adjusting parts of the mechanism embodied in l the machine to accommodate bags of-v different sizes.

With the abovev and other objects to appear k hereinafter, my invention consists in the novel features of construction and in the arrangement and combination of parts or assemblies to be hereinafter described and more particularly pointed out in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings: f

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same.

Fig.A 3 is a transverse section taken on or about line V3--3, Fig. 1, looking to the left or in the direction of the arrow crossing said line.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section taken on or about line 4 4, Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrow crossing said line.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section taken on or about I line 5-5 of Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal section, taken on or about a une 6 6, Fig. 1. e

Z. Fig. 9 is a transverse section taken on line 9 9, Fig. 7.

Fig. 10 is a transverse section taken on line it-lELFig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a transverse section taken on line lI--l lr, Fig. 7.

Fig.y 12 is a transverse section taken on line Fig. 13 is a transverse section through a` portion of the machine, showingr the mechanisms of the bag-folding and sealing'assembly innormal positions, permitting the open bags to be moved into the assembly preparatory to folding the free wall portions of the bag over the material'contained therein.

Fig. 14 is a similar view, showing the crimping or gusset-folding portion of the folding and sealing assembly lowered into the bag and parts thereof actuated to crimpthe sides of the upper free wall portions preparatory tor further folding,

closing and sealing the bag.

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Figs. 13 and 14, showing the flap-folding mechanism of the folding and sealing assembly in the act of nap-folding the bag preparatory to pressing and sealing the so folded portion of the bag; the crimping or gusset-folding mechanism being returned to normal position.

Fig. ,16 is a similar view, showing the fold-gageV l portion of the assembly withdrawn from the bag and the pressing and sealing portion thereof in action to press the foldedportions of the bag together and hermetically seal the same; the crimping or gusset-folding mechanism of the folding assembly being in normal position.

Figs. 16a and 1Gb are detail viewsshowing different positions of the fold-gage wires which they assume between the positions shown for them in Figs. 15 and 16.

Fig. v17 is a front elevation of the crimping or gusset-folding mechanism forming part of the folding and sealingassembly, the parts being in normal position; also 'a front elevation of the fold-gage portion of said assembly.

Fig. 18 is a'view similar to Fig. 17, showing parts of the crimping or gusset-folding mechanism lowered to the Apositions they assume when certain parts thereof are entered in the open end of a bag and other parts cause portions of the bag to be crimped or gusset-folded inwardly; the positions of the parts corresponding to those of like parts shown in Fig. 14.

Fig. 19 is a rear elevation of the crimping or gusset-folding mechanism of the folding and sealing assembly.

Fig. 20 is a detail view of the mechanism employed for raising or lowering the package or bag-supporting track or rail along which the bags are moved.

Fig. 21 is an elevational View showing the raising mechanism shown in Fig. as viewed from the right.

Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic view showing the positions of parts of the crimping or gusset-folding mechanism prior to crimping or gusset-folding the sides of the bag inwardly, the parts shown corresponding with like parts shown in Figs. 13 and 17.

Fig. 23 is a top plan View of a bag crimped or gusset-folded and showing diagrammatically, parts of crimping or gusset-folding mechanism advanced in their operating movement from that shown in Figs. 13 and 17, the positions of the parts corresponding with like parts shown in Figs. 14 and 18.

Fig. 24 is a top plan view of the bag and diagrammatically shows parts of the nap folding mechanism and the fold-gage mechanism, the parts being illustrated in positions they assume while flap-folding the crimped or gusset-folded free end walls in the manner :shown in Fig. l5,

Fig. 25 is a similar view, showing the bag flap folded preparatory to sealing the same, the positions of the parts corresponding with like parts shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 26 is a top plan view of a bag flapfolded and sealed to so market the same, or optionally, preparatory to pressing the flap-folded portion of the bag downwardly in compact form and supplementarily sealing the same; the bag as shown in this figure being in the form shown in Fig. 16.

Fig. 27 is a plan view of a bag folded and sealed with supplementary action thereon.

Fig. 28 is a side elevation of a bag flap-folded in the manner shown in Figs. 16 and 26 and showing a supplementary folding and sealing element or shoe in the act of pressing the flap-folded portion of the bag downwardly, as shown for example in Fig. 29.

Fig. 29 is an elevation of the bag taken at a right angle to Fig. 28 and showing the supplemental folding and sealing mechanism in action to press therlap-folded portion of the bag downwardly preparatory to supplementarily sealing Y the same.

Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 29 showing the wardly and the supplemental heater in the act of sealing the bag.

Fig. 31 is a sectional elevation of one of the bag pushing units of the bag pushing or feeding assembly.

Fig, 32 is a vertical sectional View of the same. taken on line 32-32, Fig. 3l.

Fig. 33 is a plan view of the bag pushing or feeding assembly, on a reduced scale.

Fig. 34 is a front elevation of the nap-folding mechanism and a `portion of the crimping or gusset-folding mechanism behind the same.

Figs. 35, 36 and 37 are end views of the flapfolding mechanism, showing different positions for parts thereof.

Fig. 38 is an end view of the flap-folding mechanism viewed from the end opposite the end views shown in Figs. 35, 36 and 37, said mechanism being shown in association with and in proper relation to the fold-gage mechanism shown in similar end view.

Fig. 39 is a plan view of the fold-gage mechanism.

Fig. 40, Sheet 8 of the drawings, is a section taken on or about line dll-40, Fig. 35.

V drical tie rod 58 serving as a guide rod also ties said end members 53 and 54 together.

59 is a table frame-member which connects the end members 53, 54 together. This frame member 53 is disposed along the rear of the machine and on it is mounted the primary actuating mechanism of the' machine. On this table framemember, or elongated platform as it may be termed, supporting uprights 6G, 6I are secured, on which are mounted a variable speed motor 62 and reduction gear mechanism within a reduction gear casing B3.

An electric switch of any common construction, indicated at 64, is supported by the longitudinal frame member 55 and current-conducting wires passing from said switch to the motor 62 through a conduit 65 serve as ameans to operate said motor.

A shaft 66 extends outwardly from the reduction gear casing 53, which isfdriven at desired speed by the motor, and this shaft has a sprocket wheel 61 secured thereto around which a sprocket chain 63 is passed; said sprocket chain trending around a sprocket wheel 59 secured to a countershaft 70 journaled in suitable bearings 'H rising from the table frame-member or platform 59.

Secured to the counter-shaft 70, which may be termed the driving shaft, at spaced-apart points along the length thereof are cams 72, 13, 14 and 'I5 which are adapted, through the medium of intervening mechanical parts forming actuating mechanism of various kinds, to operate the vbag-feeding mechanism, and in part to control and in part to actuate folding and sealing mechanisms, as will be explained hereinafter.

Disposed in a plane above and parallel with the counter-shaft 10 is a rod 15 non-rotatably secured in the supporting upright 6| and in the end member 54. Mounted for rocking movement on the rod I6 between collars 17 secured thereto in any approved manner are angular rock levers '18, '19. 80, and 8l each of said rock levers having a camcontacting roller 82 adapted to ride in Contact with the peripheral edge of its co-acting cam on the driving or countershaft 1D.

Rock lever 18 comprises two-arms 18a, 'i8b which are disposed at an acute angle to each other; arm 'I8b extending forwardly and downwardly and having its cam-contacting-roller 82 mounted to travel in contact with the peripheral edge of the cam 72; a retractile spring 83 being secured to the outer end of the arm 'I8a which extends forwardly from the rod on which said rock lever is mounted, said spring 83 being comparatively long and extending downwardly through an opening in the table frame-member or platform 53 and having its lower end secured to some fixed point of the machine.

Rock lever 'i9 comprises two arms 19a, I9b disposed at an obtuse angle to each other; arm 19h extending downwardly and rearwardly from the rod'lG and having its Cain-contacting roller 32 in contact with the peripheral edge of the cam 'I3 in rear of a plane passing vertically through the driving or countershaft 10, while its other arm 19a extends in aforward direction from rod 15, all as best shown in Fig. 9. The cam-contacting roller -82 is maintained in contact with the peripheral edge of the cam 13 by means of a retractile spring 84 secured at one end thereof to the outer end of the arm 19b and its other end to the table-member or platform 59. The outer end of arm 19a is adapted for connectionl with a mechanical part to be described hereinafter for act ating certain mechanism mounted within the frame structure and forming one part of what may be termed a primary crimping, folding and sealing assembly.

Rocklever 80 comprises two arms 80H80b which are disposed at an obtuse angle to eachv other. Arm 88b extendsV forwardly and downwardly and its cam-contacting roller 82 is maintained in contact with the peripheral edge of the cam 14y by a retractile spring 85 having one end thereof secured to the outer end of the arm 80b and its other end secured to the table framemember or platform 59, as clearly shown in Fig.V 10. The outer end of the arm 80a is adapted for kconnection with a mechanical part, to be described hereinafter, for actuating part of mechanism mounted within the frame structure and also forming part of the crimping, folding and sealing assembly.

Rock lever 8| comprises two arms 8 I a, 8 I b which are disposed at an obtuse angle to each other. Arm 8|b extends rearwardly and downwardly and its cam-contacting-roller 82 is mounted to travel in contact with the peripheral edge of the cam 15 and is so maintained by a retractile spring 89 having one end secured to the outer end of the arm 8 |b andits other end secured to the table frame-member or platformr59. The other arm 8|a of said rock lever extends forwardly and has a mechanical element, to be hereinafter described, secured -to its outer end which controls the movement under gravity of certain mechanism Amounted in the frame Vstructure and serving as a v supplementary folding, and sealing mechanism.

'Ihe relative positions of the arms of the respective rock levers shown in Figs. 9 to l2, vary under operation of the machine,V depending on the throw or throws of the respective .cams 12, 13, 14 and 15 under rotation and are designed to effect the step-by-step feeding of partially filled bags, designated by the letter A, through the machine and the. crimping, folding'and sealing of the bags in sequence as they progress through the machine.

Secured to the end of the driving or countershaft 10 distant from the motor E2 is a bevel gear wheel 81 which is in mesh with a bevel gear wheel 88 secured -to a shaft 89 disposed 'at a right angle to the driving or countershaft 10 and arranged in the same horizontal plane as the latter. I

The shaft 89is mounted in bearings 90 secured to the inner side of the end frame member 54 and on the forward end of said shaft a crank:

along the machine and at its distantl end has pivotal connection with a lever 94 approximately mid-length thereof, said lever being pivotally connected at its lower end to the table framemember 59, as at 95, and has one end of a rod96, substantially horizontally disposed, pivotally connected to its upper end, as at 91 (see Fig. 2);

said rod 96 being adjustable to increase or diminish the length ofthe same. The opposite end of said rod 9B is pivotally connected to a slide header 98 horizontally movable on the -tie rod 58, said slide header being also slidable on thelongitudinal connector member 55 which is formed of a flat and comparatively wide. bar of metal disposed vertically and serving as a guide rail for Vsaid slide header and parts associated therewith,

in addition to serving as a connector member for the end members 53, 54 of the framestructure and an intermediate frame member 99 of said structure. The connector member or guide rail 56 isv disposed beneath the tie rod 58 rand is coextensive therewith.`

The tie rod 58 and connector member or guide rail 51 aredisposed in parallelism and serve as guides for the `slide header 98 and for cooperating slide headers |09, |9| movable with slide header 98.

These slide headers are spaced apart and maintained in spaced relation by any suitable means so that they travel along the tie rod 58 and connector member or guide rail 58 as a unit; but it vwill be apparent that guides for said slide headers may be otherwise constructed and fastened in the frame of themachine. Each of the slide headers carries one or more pusher arms |82 which are pivotally connected thereto and maintained in retracted position, shown in Fig. 8, by means to be presently described. Said slide headers and pusher arms serve as part of bag or packagefeeding mechanism and are associated with a bag or. package-supporting rail or track |04 disposed underneath the free ends of the pusher arms when the latter are in extended positions, as shown in Fig. 6.

Extending forwardly from one end of the bag or package-supportingrrail or track |04 is a bagreceiving table or platform |85 having guides |06, |91 at oppositesides thereof ybetween which partially filled bags A to be closed and sealed are passed. Thebags used are preferably constructed of cellophane or some coated material which, when two layers thereof are brought together and subjected to heat, are sealed; but on occasions, heating of the bags may be dispensed with and the bags otherwise sealed by the closing mechanism provided.

The bags may be lled by hand, or a filling machine mounted at one end of the frame structure adjacent the bag-receiving table or platform |85, may be employed, such filling machines being in common use and include a hopper into which the commodities or wares to be packed are confined and which are discharged therefrom through a iiller spout into the'open bags. The commodities or wares being bagged are delivered 'into the open bags according to measure, or

weight, depending on the usual method of marketing the goods. In all cases the bags, which are open at the top, are filled to within a short distance of their upper ends and when so partially filled, the upper portions a of the four sides of the bag extend upwardly in substantially flat and free condition so that the bag is fully open, as shownv diagrammatically in Fig. 22. The partially lled bags are manually pushed from the bag receiving table or platform |05 onto the supporting rail or track |04, with the inner side of the bag in contact with longitudinally-disposed straight-lined guide rails |08, |09, arranged one above the other and fastened to uprights or brackets ||,0, two of which are transversely adjustable on transversely-disposed supporting rails l, the lower guide rail |09 being vertically adjustable on the uprights or brackets I |0, for -Which purpose the uprights are slotted, as at I2. Bolts I I3 passed through guide rail |09 and through the slots I I2 of said uprights or brackets yare tightened by nuts in the usual manner, as best shown in Fig. l. If desired, both the upper `and lower guide rails |08, |09 may be made vertically adjustable on the uprights or brackets ||0, or the upper guide rail only be so applied to said uprights or brackets. Said two uprights or brackets are transversely alined and paired with two spaced-apart uprights or brackets II 4 slidably arranged on said supporting rails Additional longitudinally disposed guide rails I |5, IIB are secured to the uprights or brackets II4. The guide rail |09 is vertically adjustable on the upright or bracket I I0 at the left hand end of the machine as Viewed in Fig. 1, in addition to being adjustable on the remaining uprights or brackets I |0 paired with uprights or brackets I I4. It will be apparent that either or both guide-rails ||5, I I 6 may be adjustably fastened to their supporting uprights or brackets. The adjustability ofthe guide rails enables bags of various heights to be passed through the machine in a properly guided manner. The guide rails ||5, ||6 cooperate with the guide' rails |08, |09, respectively, to forml a bag or package passage extending from the table or platform to the distant end of the machine. The guide rails ||5, IIB are therefore shorter than the guide rails |08, |09 and thus arranged form an entrance opening to the bag or package passage directly over the table or platform |08.

During the rotation of the crank arm 9|, the rod or pitman 93 is caused to reciprocate and by reason of the connection of said rod or pitman with the lever 94, said lever in turn causes reciprocation of the rod 96. Due tothe rod 98 being pivotally connected with one of the slide headers, for example slide header 98, of the bag or package-feeding mechanism, and the tying-up of said slide header with the slide headers |00 and |0| by means of a tie-rod I I 8 (see Fig. 2), the pusher shortening of the rod 95 changes the area of the rail |04 over which the bags travel and enables bags of various cross-sectional dimensions to be transversely centered under the primary crimping, folding and sealing assembly, to be hereinafter described.

During the forward movement of the bagfeeding mechanism,'of which said pusher devices form part-the pusher arms |02'are caused to oscillate on their pivots or centers and for this purpose the shaft or pivot of the slide header 98 at the extreme right, as viewed in Fig. 6, has a pinion ||9 secured to its lower end, which pinion is in mesh with a gear wheel rotatably mounted on the underside of the slide header last mentioned, and to saidgear wheel |20 a lever |2| is secured which extends therefrom and has a guide roller |22 rotatably secured to its outer end.

Underneath the pusher arms of the slide headers is a switch-track |23 provided with parallel intermediate guide grooves |24, |25 separated by a bar |26. At one end of the switchtrack a terminal or switch guide groove I2'| is provided which is alined with the bar |26 and at the other end of the switch-track a terminal or switch guide groove |28 is arranged which is alined with the guide groove |25.

Switch tongues |29, I30 are pivotally attached to opposite ends of the bar |26 and these are normally spring-retained in any approved manner in positions connecting guide groove |24 with terminal or switch guide groove |28 and guide groove |25 with terminal or switch guide groove |21, as clearly shown in Fig. 8. The grooves |24, |25, therefore merge at opposite ends into the terminal or switch guide grooves |21 and |28.

The guide roller |22 is at all times positioned within some portion of the two-way switch groove assembly thus formed lin the switch track and is adapted to travel back and forth. In its forward movement, indicated by the arrow`|3| in Fig. 8, it travels from the terminal or switch guide groove |21 along the forward edge or face of the switch tongue |29 into the guide groove |25 and from the latter into the terminal or switch guide groove |28, momentarily moving the switch tongue |30 inwardly so as to permit the roller to enter said terminal or switchvguide groove. v

rihe action of the guide roller |22 thus far Vdescribed takes place during one-half a revolution of the crank arm 9| and during the other half of said revolution said guide roller reverses its movement, traveling from the terminal or switch guide groove |28, along and in contact with the inner edge or face of the switch tongue I 30, thence through the guide groove |24 and from the latter into the terminal or switch guide groove |21. During the last portion of its movement so described, the switch tongue |29 is moved forwardly so as to provide the necessary clearance for the passage of the guide roller |22 from the groove portion |24 to the terminal or switch groove portion |21. The switch tongues assume their normal positions under spring force, as above stated, so that normally they areA retained in the positions shown in Fig. 8. v

In traveling forward and back through the switch track, the guide roller |22 is caused `to swing through an arc of a circle componently with its reciprocating movement and in range sufficient to rotate the gear wheel |20 on the slide, header 98 and this movement of the gear wheel is sufiicient to cause rotation of the pinion I l 9 to a Ydegree that will cause the shaft of the'pusher arm or arms supported on said slide header to oscillate from the position shown in dottedA lines in Fig. 8 to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 6. ,v

The pusher arms |02 of the several slide headers are connected together by means of a tie bar |32, or otherwise, so that they swing in unison; the bags A, during the vseveral steps of closing and sealing the` same, being advanced through the machine while supported on therail or track |04.

As clearly shown by dotted lines in Fig. 6, a bag is located at the extreme left of the supporting rail or track |04 inwardly from the bagreceiving table or platform |05 and other bags are shown being advanced along said rail or track under reciprocating movement of the pusher arms |02. During the operation of the machine, the pusher arms |02, while in the positions shown in Fig. 6, are moved rearwardly or to the left and during this action the guide roller |22 travels through the switch track |23 and by reason of the circuitous course of travel bythe roller vin said track, the pusher arms are moved inwardly from the positions shown in full lines in Fig. 6

-to those shown byk dotted lines inV Fig. l8. Thus,

when positioned as shown by said dotted lines,

ythey clea'rthe bags on the supporting rail or track "|04 and assume positions in a plane inwardly of the bags, with the result thatas the spaced-apart slide headers move forward or to the right, as viewed in-Fig. 6, the pusher arms will engage the left or rear sides of the bags and move thern forward along thesupporting rail or track the distance which such slide headers travel in a forward direction.

, the rail'ortrack for advancement through the Eventually the bags, after being closed and sealed in a manner to appear hereinafter, contact each other at the right hand end of the supporting rail or track |04 and are moved from the latter onto a delivery table or platform |33, from which they are placed in containers for shipping, or otherwise disposed of.

The switch track has an opening |33a in its bottom for such commcditiessas beans and the.

like to pass through when over-spilled o r when for any reason a bag becomes broken, and thus jambing of the mechanism is prevented.

Any commodities passing through the opening,

|33a will drop into a pan |34 slidable into andv out of the base member and closing the bottorn` of an elongated hopper-like receptacle |35 formed'by a verticall rear wall |35and a front wall |31 having a downwardly and rearwardly inclined upper portion |38 and a vertical lower portion |39, said walls |36, |31 extending the full length of the machine. cumulating in the hopper-like receptacle may Any commodities actherefore be returned to the original supply and bagged; thus avoiding all waste.

When starting the machine in operation, the pusher mechanism will be at the extreme left of its movement when viewed asshown in Eig. 6. A partially lled bag will then be movedmanually fromv the receiving table or platform |05 onto the package supporting rail or track 04, with the result that the pusher varm or arms of the'slide header |0|will engage the rear side of the bag Y and move the latter from the position shown by vdotted lines |40 in Fig. 6 to the position shown by dotted lines lili in said gure. At this time one. bag will be on its way alongthe rail or track |04.

During such action, the pusher arm or arms of. the slide headers |00 and 98 `will move idly in a,v forward direction, or from lefty to right as. viewed in Fig. 6. During the return movement of the pusher mechanism, the pusher arm or arms of all slider headers will be swung inwardly or in a direction toward the rear of the machine, in which positions they will be retained 'until the pusher mechanism approaches the end` of its -return movement. During .the final portion of its return movement Ythe pusher arms of the plurality o f`l slide headers are swung in an outward direction to a limited degree preparatory -to further move-` ment outwardly during the initial forward or advance movenient of the pusher mechanism. Askv the pusher mechanism lreaches'its rearmost position, the attendant will move another partially-- filled bag from the receiving'table or platform |05:

onto the rail or track. |04 in advance o-f the pushi er arm or arms of slide header |0| `and rwith all pusher arms directed outwardly, or .in the posi-` tions shown in Fig. 6, the pushermechanism is moved in a forward direction,during which action the bag shown by dotted lines 4UH in said `figure is moved to the position'of the-bag' shownby dotted lines. |42and the bag shown by dottecllines |40 is moved to the yposition of the bag shown by dotted lines |4I. At this time two bags are on Ony the return movement of the pusher mechanism, the bags indicated by dotted lines |4| and |42 ,will be by-passed by the pusher arms of slide headers |00 and 98, respectively, and a third partially-iilled bag will be positioned forward of the arm or arms of slide header lili. As the pusher mechanism is again moved forwardly,v the bag in y the position shown by dotted lines |42 will be movedto the position indicated by the dotted lines 45; the bag occupying the position indicated by dotted lines '54| will be moved to the position indi'cated by dottedA lines |42, and the newly positioned partially-filled bag indicated by dotted lines |40 will bemoved to the position shown by dettes unes ma. It wm be apparent thatget uns time there are three bags beingv advanced inV spaced-.apart relationA along the rail or track. l After the next return movement of the pusher device a fourth partiallylled bag havinggbeen placed on the receiving platform |05 is moved onto the rail or track in advance of the pusher arm or arms of slide header |0| and during the following forward movement of said pusher mechanism all bags on the rail or track are advanced in the manner stated; the bag advanced to the position indicated by the dcttedlines |46 in Fig. 6 being moved directly by a bag following it the distance of the width of each `bag so that after the bags reach the positionsl indicated by dotted lines Hi8, they are advanced while in contact, one with another, and are moved onto the delivery tableor platform 33, where, as above'indicated,

they are removed and stored, shipped, or otherwise disposed of. Y

When the bags are successively positioned at the Ipoint indicated by' dotted lines |42 in Fig 6, crimping or gusset-folding mechanism |431, napfolding mechanism |44, and the Vfold-,gaging mechanismlli will be brought into action. The bags so positioned will be transversely and centr'ally in line with a crimping, folding and sealing assembly formed by said mechanisms |43, |44 and |45 and be advanced step-by-step along the bag` or package supporting rail or track |04 in the manner describedV during each reciprocating movement of the' pusher mechanism, with the result that the bags will eventually assume the positions shown by dotted lines |46, Fig. 6, at which point supplemental folding, and sealing mechanism |41 is brought into action, when the bags, due to the nature'of the material therein,

require additional folding and sealing of the same. Y

As ythe position of the bags'ndicated by dotted lines |46 is the last step of their passage through the machine by direct operation of the pusher mechanism thereagainst, thev bags,` as above stated, are assembled at the discharge end of the bag or Apackage supporting rail or track |04 and are forced out of the machine while in contact with each other and` aredelivered onto the delivery table or platform |373'.

It win thus be seen'that the feeding of the bags through the machine is a successive operation and is accomplishedfunder action of the lcrank arm 9| and mechanismy transferring movement from said crank arm to the slide headers 9,8, 00, vand |0| which, with the pusher arms |02 of said headers, the switch track |23, and the mechanism intermediate said slide lheader and switch track constitute package or bag feeding mechanism. Each slide header vand its pivotally at- .tached pusher arm or arms,` may for convenience,

be termed a pusher device, and the pusher de- 1 1 vices with parts attached thereto maybe referred to as the pusher mechanism of the machine.

The bags are, therefore, advanced through the bag or package passage step-by-step under reciprocating movement of said slide headers and under control of the lever I2| and its guide roller |22 in coaction with the movement-transferring mechanism between said lever and at least one of the slide headers, in conjunction with the switchtrack provided for causing actuation of the pusher arms of the slide headers.

As clearly shown in Figs. 4, 31 and 32, each pusher device is preferably provided with a plurality of arm-sections, four being shown in the two `last-mentioned figures. The arm-sections mounted on the slide header 98 are secured to the` shaft to which the pinion ||9 is secured so that when said pinion is rotated counter-clockwise and clockwise, the arm-sections of said pusher device will have been oscillating to complete a full cycle of movement. Thus the commodities or wares within the bag will not be subjected to pressure along the full height of the bag, and if desired, one or more arm-sections of each of these pusher devices may be omitted, depending on the height of the bags passing through the machine, and at times on the material being bagged.

Provision is also made for raising and lowering the bag or package supporting rail or track |04, and for this purpose the rail or track is provided with depending arms |49 having a vertical series of teeth serving as a gear vrack |50; each of the depending arms'being slidable within a housing secured to the longitudinal connector member 5l, or otherwise. The arms |49 extend downwardly from the supporting rail. or track near opposite ends thereof. Mounted in each housing is a shaft I 52 having a pinion |53 secured thereto in mesh with the gear rack |50 and having also a sprocket wheel |54 fastened thereto. Traveling over the sprocket wheels |54 is a sprocket chain |55 (see Fig. l). The shaft in one of said. housings I5! has a knob or handle |56 secured thereto for rotating the shafts |52 and causing the pinions |53 beneath opposite ends of the supporting rail or track to raise and lower the arms |49 and thereby raise or lower the supporting rail or track |04.

The shaft |52 having the knobor handle |56 secured thereto has a ratchet wheel |57 fastened thereon which is engaged by a lock dog |58 secured to a shaft |59 having Va handle by means of which the lock dog may be disengaged from the ratchet wheel and thus the shaft |52 freely rotated for adjusting the supporting rail or track |04 verticalljT so as to accommodate bags of different heights passed through the machine. It will thus be seen that the bag or packagesupporting rail or track |04 may be elevated and lowered in relation to the guide rails |08, |09, l5 and IB.

Adjustment of the width of the bag or package passage over the supporting rail or track |04 may be effected to' increase or diminish the Width of said passage by moving the uprights or brackets H0, ||4 to which the guide rails |08, |00, and H5, IIS, respectively, are attached towards o1' away from a plane passing longitudinally through the center of the rail or track |04; and for this purpose an adjusting screw or rod |60 (see Fig. 3) is rotatable in bearings |605, |053b and threaded through each pair of transversely alined uprights or brackets ||0, H4. A third and shorter adjusting screw or rod |60C, best shown in Fig. 6, is adjustable in suitable bearl2 ings |60d carried bythe endfmember 53 ofthe frame, or otherwise supported, and this third and shorter adjusting screw or rod-is for adjusting the single bracket ||0 at the bag-receiving end of the machine. The portionroi each adjusting screw or rod passing through one of veach pair of transversely alined uprights or brackets is provided with a left-hand screw thread ISI, while the portion passing through the other of each pair of said .transversely alined brackets is -provided with a right-hand screw thread |52, as best shown in Fig. 3. .A portion of said third or shorter adjusting screw is also provided with left-hand screw threads to conform to the left-hand screw threads of the adjusting screws or rods provided for adjusting the brackets ll0transversely alined with brackets ||4. Thus, in rotating the adjusting screw or rod of the pair of brackets at the right-hand or delivery end of the machine by means of a hand wheel |63, accessible from the front of the machine, the adjusting screw or rods may be turned in one direction to increase the width of the passage or in the opposite direction to diminish the width of the same, as will presently appear. From the foregoing it will be clear that the uprights or brackets ||0 having the guide rails |08 and |09 secured thereto, form the inner or rear wallof the bag or package passage and that the uprights or brackets H4 having the guide rails H5, HB attached thereto form the front or outer wall of said passage; the inner or rear wall being extended beyond the outer or front wall at the bag-receiving end of the machine, while uprights or brackets ||4 form the outer or front wall of said passage and provide an opening at the receiving end of the machine in line with the receiving table or platform |05.

So that the adjustment may be equalized along the entire length of the passage, the adjusting screws ork rods |60 and the adjusting screwor rod |60c have sprocket wheels |64 secured thereto over which a sprocket chain |05 is passed. However the adjusting screw or rod |60e for the upright or bracket I0 at the extreme left or bagreceiving end of the machine is provided with a left-hand thread only, since it functions to adjust said bracket so as to move the same in unison with the brackets I0 longitudinally alined therewith. To maintain the sprocket chain |05 in mesh with the sprocket Wheels |64, an idler sprocket wheel |60 (see Fig. 2) is rotatably mounted on a shaft receiving support from the longitudinal connector member 57, thus taking up slackness in said chain which would otherwise occur because of the length of the same.

In some instances I find it advisable to attach pressure iingers |61 to the outer guide rails ||5, ||6 of the bag or package passage and these are comparatively resilient and arranged to exert slight pressure inwardly so that the bags or packages travel in contact with the straight-edge guide rails |08, |09. For this purpose iiat plates |68 may be secured to the outer sides of the outer' guide rails H5, ||6,'or to either of them, so that they 'have .the resilient pressure ngers |67 occupy the space between the upper and lower outer guide rails, as clearly shown in Fig. l.

As stated, the pusher devices are connected together by the tie-rod l|8 so that when the pusher device at the right of the bag pusher 'mechanism is actuated by the guide roller |22 traveling in the switch-track |23, the remaining pusher devices |00, |0| will be actuated. The pusher arms of the pusher devices 98 and |00 are pivotally connected together by the tie-bar |32 andthe latter is 'in yieldingcontact with.

thepusher armor one of the arms of theislide header l| at the left of .the pusher mechanism.

The extreme left handend of the tie-bar |32, as

end. AThus the pusher assembly. moved. to its positionV at thel extreme left, as viewed in- Eis. 1, will cause the pusherdevioe It? at the extreme left to engage a heg or package de-n livered onto, the bag. or package supporting rail ortrack from the receiving table Orplatform |95 and Will assure continued operation of the mLQhIle, eVQl though aVallmll @he bag at the extreme left is not made due to the operator coming in contact with the pusher arm or arms of said left-hand pusher device, or for other reasons, and when vsuch a condition arises, the pusherarm .or arms 0f the remaining pusher devices will be swung on their pivots while straining, the long retractile sprintr |76. .Thus the remaining vrpusher devices of the pusher assembly will functionpilipel'ly and intermittent forward movement of the packages or bags willl beeffected without any possibility of the operators hand being injured, or operation of the. machine being affected.v I'l.`heb.ag at the extreme left being so momentarily .held against advancement may be manuallymoved forward in the passage il! after end of one 'arm of an angle levery |14 -rockable on i a rod or VKfixed shaft |15 extending longitudinally the operators hand.A is withdrawn from contact e with the pusher armor arms intendedto actuate said package, in which event the packages vwill be properly spaced apart and remain so spaced while the pusher arms of all pusher devices recede and return to their normal or inoperative l positions.. v, I l f.

-It willbe apparent, therefore, that with each forward movement of the pusher. assembly, the pusherarms engage the bags or packages mountedon the rail or track |534 and advance the same a predetermineddistance; momentarily retaining the bags in 'such positions for operation thereon, while in one position, by otherniech-v anisms to ,ber presently described.,V They pusher mechanism functions in the manner of a ratchet mechanism, in that when. moved in v onedirectiony t'advances the bags through the passage ifi and when moved in the opposite ,direction travels.'

idly inwardlyl of the bags' toena'ble it to again engage and push the 'bags in a forward direction.

lWhen the bags are positioned for closing and sealing the same, the pusher assembly will be returning to its normal position and for a period of time, governed by the cams on the driving or countershaft lf3, will be so retained until cer-'" Y toi vihrate` `and compact. .the contents of .the bag or package supported thereby.

.lherock lever 'i8 has the lowerendxofa rod |13 pivotally lconnected'tothe outer or forward end ofthe arm 13%; said rodgloeing lengthwise adjustable and for this purpose `i s'formed of two sec.- tions,` asbest'shown in Fig. 4, one section 'being threaded intov the other so that therod may ber 'shortened or-.1ensthened..asrmnybe desired.'v The upperelid. ef ,the rod |13issenredtofthe,cuter the endframe member 54 and its other end in the intermediate frame member 99. The other arm `of said angle lever |14 hasfone end of a link |11 pivotally connected thereto, the other end of which is pivotally connected to the flap-folding mechanismv |44 designed to flap-fold the upper open ends of Ibags after crimping or gusset folding the same, as will appear hereinafter; 'said mechanism forming part of the primary crimping, folding and sealing assembly of the machine.

Pivotally connected to the rock lever '|9, :and more' particularly to the vouter end of the arm 'i9a of said lever, is a rod 9, which extends upwardly and forwardly andhas its upper end pivotally connected to a lever I secured to a transverse shaft IBI (see Figs. 1 and 2) which is journaled in a bearing |82 fastened to the top frame member 55 and designed to actuate other parts of the primary crimping, folding and sealing assembly, which parts I prefer to term crimping or gussetfolding mechanism and which I have hereinbefore designated by the numeral |43.

Pivotally connected to the rock lever 8,9, and more particularly to the outer end of the arm .89@ thereof, is a rod |84 which extends upwardly and has pivotal connection at its upper end with the fold-gage mechanism |45.

Pivota'lly connected tothe rock lever 8|, and more particularly to the outer end of the arm 8|@- thereof is a rod 85 which extends upwardly therefromand at its upper end is pivotally ,con-

nectedto the supplemental folding and sealing mechanism |41.

The transverse shaft IBI `extends through the bearing |82 on the top frame member 55 and at theouter side of said member has a lever .|88

secured thereto, the louter or'free end ofv which is.

|89Vwhose upper end is pivotally'l'secured to a` slide plate or carrier |90 vertically reciprocable in guides -|9| fastened to the front face of the top frame member 55. This slide plate or carrier Y forms part of the crimping or gusset-,foldingV mechanism |43which includes a `frame |92 se.- cured to the bottom of said slide plate and having two pairs of spaced-apart wire fingersV or gages |93, |94l depending therefrom. r Said frame also has 'pivotally secured thereto crimping or gussetfoldingarms |95 which are retained 'in vertical position at opposite sides of the wire fingers or gages 93,l |94 and these crimping or gusset-folding arms are disposed in a plane between each of the two pairs of wire fingers |93,` and |94.k WhenV said slide plate or carrier |90 is lowered by action of the lever |33, said crimping or gusset-folding farms are. swung inwardly between each pair of e position indicated by dotted lines' |42 in Fig. 6,y

will be directly beneath said crimping and gussetfoldingmechanismand in a plane in rear of the yflap-folding mechanism |44 and forward of 'the fold-gaging mechanism |45; the bag having the free upper ends `of its walls extending above the contents. thereof and forming a rectangular void or open space into which the wire fingers or gages |93, |94 are entered upon downward vmovement of theV slide plate or vcarrier |90, as best shown in Figs., 14 and 22. Whenso entered. the ACrimpvotherwise fastened in a fixed manner.

ing and gusset-folding arms |95 are located outside of the free ends of two opposite walls of said bag, as best shown in Fig. 22. Thus when said arms are swung inwardly, said walls are crimped or folded -between each of the two pairs of wire fin-gers or gages |93, |94, as best shown in Figs. 14 and 23 an-d are so maintained until acted upon by other mechanism forming part of the crimping, folding and sealing assembly.

The crimping or gusset-folding arms |95 are held in their vertical or outer positions by retractile springs |96, so connected to the frame |92 and to said arms that the latter are held-offcenter when in such positions.

The crimping or gusset-folding arms have inwardly-extending arms |91 provided with for- Wai'dly-directed toes |98, the ends of which latter travel between spaced-apart upper and lower stop bars |99, 200 secured to a bracket 20| depending from the longitudinal top frame member 55, or Thus when the slide plate or carrier |90 and the frame |92 carried thereby :are lowered, the two pairs of wire fingers or gages |93, |94 enter the operi upper end of the bag, while the crimping or gussetfolding arms |95 are moved to positions outside of opposite free upper end portions of the walls of said bag until the forwardly-directed terminal arms |98 engage the lower stop bar 299, whereupon said crimping or gusset-folding arms are swung inwardly ragainst the resistanceV of the retractile springs |96, forcing each of opposite free wall portions of the bag inwardly between each of the two pairs of wire fingers to crimp or gussetfold said wall portions in the manner shown diagrammatically in Fig. 23; said arms being so held until the slide-plate or carrier |90 moves upwardly, under the control of the cam 13 and strikes the upper stop bar |99, at which time-said arms are swung outwardly to their normalposil by providing said arms with inwardly-directed toes 202 disosed above their pivotal points and inwardly-directed toes 203 disposed below such pivotal points; stopV screws being adjustably threaded through said toes 202, '203 and arranged to strike the upper and lower edges of a cross bar |92a forming part of the frame |92 to which slide plate or carrier |90 is secured. Upon adjusting these stop screws, the swinging movement of the crimping and -gusset-folding arms may be increased or diminished to meet the requirements of larger or smaller bags being passed through the machine,while the wire ngers or gages |93, |94 are inwardly entered in the upper open end of the bag land the crimping or gusset-folding arms |95 are swung inwardly -between the pairs of said wire fingers or gages in the manner shown in Figs. 14 and 23. Portions of opposite side walls of the bag are thus crimped or folded inwardly, while the intervening side walls are momentarily held separated in close relationship by the wire fingers or gages lying-in contact'with the inner sidesl of said walls.

As the wire fingers or gages |93, |94 and the crimping or folding arms |95 are being moved upwardly with the slide plate or carrier |90, the apl5 folding mechanism |44 is moved rearwardly and the fold-gage mechanism |45 forwardly under the action of their respective actuating cams 12 and "E4, under which action the crimped or gusset-folded upper end of the bag is gripped between said two mechanisms.

The flap-folding mechanism |44 is carried on a fixed shaft 204 and the link |11 is pivotally connected to a cam member 205 forming part of said mechanism and rockably mounted on said fixed shaft. Rotatable on said fixed shaft 204 is a sleeve 206 which bears at one end against said cam member and at its other end against a hanger 201 depending from and fastened to the longitudinal top frame member 55.

A collar 208 is secured to the shaft 204 and bears against the cam member 205. Thus all parts of the flap-folding mechanism are carried by the fixed shaft 204 and confined between the collar 298 and the hanger 201 or some other fixed portion of the frame.

Clamped or otherwise fastened on one end of the sleeve 206 so that it is flush with one end edge of said sleeve and also bears against the cam member 205, is a tensioning rock collar 209. Secured to the sleeve 206 are the upper ends of two spaced-apart arms or side members 2|0, in the lower ends of which a rock shaft 2|| is mounted. The shaft 204, the sleeve 206 rotatably mounted on said shaft, the arms or side members 2|0 secured to said sleeve in spacedapart relation, the tensioning rock collar 209 secured to said sleeve and the cam member 205 yieldingly connected with said tensioning rock collar constitute what I term the rockable primary or main frame of the flap-folding mechanism.

Secured to said rock shaft 2|| is the lower end of a rockable auxiliary frame which includes side arms or frame members 2|4 disposed outside of the arms or side membersl 2|0 of the rockable primary or main frame and extending upwardly from said shaft 2||. 2|5 designates a link having its lower end pivotally connected to the outer end of an arm 2|6 whose inner end is secured to the rock shaft 2|I, said link having its upper end pivotally secured to an arm 2 l 6a projecting outwardly from the hanger 201. This link connection assures a straightlined inward movement of the flap-folding mechanism.

The cam member 205 has a spring-loaded lug 2|`| extending forwardly and upwardly therefrom in a plane above the axis of the fixed shaft 204 and the tensioning rock collar 209 has a similarly disposed lug 2|8 extending therefrom beneath the lug 2|`| and in spaced relationship thereto.

The lug 2|8 has a screw-stud 2|9 fastened thereinto and extending upwardly through lug 2|?, and surrounding said screw-stud between said lugs 2|1 and 2|8 is a spiral spring 220, the tension of which is regulated by means of a nut 22| threaded onto the upper end of said screw stud and bearing against the upper face of lug 2H. Thus by reason of the tensioning rockcollar 209 being secured to the sleeve 206 and the cam member v205 being loosely mounted on the shaft 204, said cam member is normally held in its rearmost and uppermost position, as best shown in Fig. 35.

' Fastened between the side arms or frame members 2| 4 ofthe rockableauxiliary'frame is an electric heater 222 of any suitable type, to which is pivotally secured a fold bar 223 adapted to move from the, position show-n. in Eig. 1 -3 to that shown` in Fig. 16,. and to thev pivot or shaft 2:2;3EL of said fold bar outside, of one side arm of therockableauxiliary frame, a pinion 224 is secured. This: pinion is in mesh with, a gear segment 225. secured to one end of a shaft 226 rockable in the upperl or free ends of they side arms. 2M of said rockable auxiliary frame.. Said gear segment 225 has a forwardly yextending roller supportingarm. 22,1, on the front or outer end; of, Whicha roller 228 is; rotatably secured; said roller being retained in. contact with the cam edge 229V of the cam member 2,65.

Secured to the rockable. shaft 22.5- is a collar 23D to,A which one. end of a torsion spring 23| surrounding said shaft is secured, the: other end ot said spring being secured to one of the side arms or frame members, 2 I4. of therockable auxiliary frame. Thus, when the, rod |13 is actuatf ed by the cam '|2, the rockable main. frame and the rockable auxiliary frame.. are caused to rock on their centers and in turn. cause the flap-fold.-

'ing mechanism, ferr-ning part of the crimping,

folding and sealing assembly, to bev brought into action. The` flapefolding mechanism, thus described consists of the rockable main frame on shaft 294, the auxiliary frame rockable with the rock shaft 2| I-, and parts carried by said frames.

The rockable auxiliaryl frame comprises the rock shait 2 II rotatably mounted inthe lower or outer ends of the arms or side members 2li) of the rockable; primary or main frame, the side arms or frame members 2M secured to saidrock shaft, the rocky shaft. 226, theI pinion 224, the. gear segment225 with its roller supporting arniJ and the torsion spring 23|` andv its associated collar 239, all controlled` by the action of lthe cam member 205. n

The fold-gage mechanism [4.5 is carried by the rod or fixed shaft H5 and comprises a4 sleeve 23.3 roclstable on said rod or shaft and spaced-rapart downwardly and rearwardly trending arms or frame members 23d having their upper ends clamped or otherwise secured to said sleeve. At least one of said armsor frame members hasv an upwardly and rearwardly extending arm 235 projecting therefrom to which the upper end of the rod Itriy is pivotally connected; said rod being actuated; by the cam 'Hi through the medium of the.- rock lever 80.

Journaled in thev lower ends of the arms or .frame members 2.36 is a, rock shaft 23d having angular iittings 231 secured theretoto which f orwardlyextending arms 238 are fastened in any suitable manner; said angular ttings 235|v and arms 238 are spaced apart and at their forward ends are connectedby va gage wire 2;-379. Arranged inside and adjacent the arms or frame, members 234 and rockable with the roel:A shaft 235i are levers 299, the levers being mounted between their ends on the rock shaft 236- so as to provide rearwardly extending arms 2M. and forwardly extending arms 2522. Each arm 215| has an inwardly projecting lug 243 through which an adjustable stop screw is threaded; said stop screws normally abutting against stop lugs 245 projecting from the rear edge of the4 arms or Iframe members 23tand being so held by retractile springs 245 secured at their lower ends to the rear ends oi the arms 24| and their upper ends to lugs 24'! projecting rearwardly from the arm or frame members 23d. Secured in the front ends of the arms 242 is a rock Shaft 2da and fastened to said shaft are spaced-apartv angular fittings' 249 to which the rear end or for- 18y ward-1y projecting arms 15u are.y secured.; the front cndsoi which are connected byv a. gage. wire 25|..

Eastened to the rock shaft 248. is av stop arm 252 which projects rearwardly therefrom, and overlies the rock shaft 236,; said stoparm haying`` a stop screw. 253 threaded adjustably there.- through and engaging withJ its. lower end against the rock shaft 23.5, thus limiting the upward movement of the gage member 25d, comprising the iittings 2459, the forwardly projecting arms 25e. and the gage wire 25|.. A retractle, spring 255 is connected atv its` lower end t0 all.. angular fitting 2de, and at its upper end t0. an arm or `frame member 23.4. The retractile spring 255 serves to. swing the gage-member l251|` upwardly while ther stop screw 253,. limits the upward swinging movement of said gage member. The, an.- gular fittings 23,1, the arms 238, and the gage wires 239 also constitute a gage member., which I have designated by the number 256, and the ease. members, 25.4- and 25'6 are normally held in the positions shown inAFigs. V13 and 14, I have in some figures of the drawing Shown one, re,- tractile spring Zlio,` one retractle spring 255,v and one lug 243 with its stop screw; and in other figures, two such springsI and lugs. are. shown. This makes it apparent that. either oneV or two of each of such partsv may be employed.

Fastened to. the rook, shaft. 248. atl one, side of the frame of the fold-gage. mechanism` MI54 is a trip lever 275i and on the pivot or shaft. 23,3? of the foldA b ar 223,. is a trip, arm 258. adapted4 to, er1.- gage. and trip the lever so as to rook` the gage member 254, for a purpose to. appear hereinafter.

Itwill be clear from the foregoing., therefore, that the cams 1,24, 13 'lll and 'l5 are synchronized in action and that. each cam, has a. concentric portion or portions under `control of which mechanisms operated by it as a unit4 are momentarily held in immovable position, parts of themeclianisrns controlled by cams '|21 'I4 and 1.5 being brought.v into action during such, times, to, serve their respective purposes. The. concentric portions of'the cam i3 serve to momentarily hold the y crimping' and gusset folding mechanism, in, elevated and lowered positions, respectiyely, and Darts.- of such mechanism are actuated during the ascending and descending movements thereof. The cam it., through the intervention of the rock lever 'i9 actuates rod I'I9, lever |89, transverse shaft ISI, lever |95 and link |99 so as. to operate the; slide plate orv carrier |90, which in turn lowers the wire fingers or gages |93, |94 and the crimping or gusset-folding arms |95 attached. thereto.l

causingsaid ngers or gages to enter theopen end of the bag and the crimping or gusset-folding arms to. assume positions. outside of and. at opposite sides of the free. upper wall portions ofthe bag.

During the lowering of the. wire. fingers or gages les, |94 and arms |95, the. iorwardly-directed toes |98, of` the larms |91 are caused to @ligase the l lower stop or stop b ar 209 and thus swing said arms inwardly between the two pairs of' wire fingers o1' gages, |93., Il, forcing the. upper free ends of the side walls of the bag inwardly between said wires or gages. to crimp or gusset-fold the same. as shown in Figs. 1s and 2 3.. This. action occurs during a portieri of each revolution of the cam 13;, andthe parts. so actuated are momentarily retained in actuated. positions. during the immediately following portion of each revolution 0f the cam. At, such times the slide plate or carrier isv in its depressed position and during the next.

-following portion of the revolution of the cam 13, the slide plate or carrier |90 is caused to ascend to its uppermost or normal position, during which action the forwardly-extending toes |98 contact the upper stop or stop bar |99 and cause the crimping or gusset-folding arms |95 to be returned to their normal positions, in which positions said arms are retained until the slide plate or carrier is again depressed and reaches a point at which the forwardly extending toes |93 thereof engage the lower stop or stop bar 200 and again cause the arms |95 to swing inwardly or toward each other and thus crimp or gusset fold the upper free wall portions of a partially filled bag.

When the. wire fingers or gages |93, |94 are entered in the upper open end of a bag and the crimping or gusset folding arms |95 are swung inwardly to crimp or gusset fold a bag in the manner described and as shown in Figs. 14 and 23, the front and rear free wall portions at the upperend of the bag are moved toward each other. IThe relationship of the several cams on the driving or countershaft is such that at this time the which the gusset-folded wall portions extending upwardly above the contents of the bag are folded; said gage wires 239 and 25| contacting the bag in spaced-apart relation, as best shown in Fig. 15.

l, From the foregoing it will be apparent that the nap-folding mechanism |44 is moved inwardly in operating relation to the bag under the action of the link |11 drawing the same toward the bag, said link being actuated under operation of the cam 12 on the driving or countershaft 10. The inward movement of the nap-folding mechanism toward the bag is definitely fixed with regard to the size of the bag being operated upon and forthis purpose one or both arms orside members 2| 9 are provided with inwardly-extending lugs 259 at their upper ends through which a stop screw 260 is passed which is adjustably held within said lug and is adapted to strike a stop element 25| carried by the bracket 20|, or otherwise. screw upwardly from said lug determines the range of the inwardly swinging movement of the nap-folding mechanism |44 and said stop screw or screws, as the case may be, has a further `purpose in that it limits the rockable movement of the primary or main frame of the flap-folding mechanism, while permitting independent action v of the rockable auxiliary frame of said flap-folding mechanism, the independent movement of said rockable auxiliary frame following the movement of the rockable primary or main frame. After the inward movement of the primary or main frame is arrested by the stop screw or screws 26] engaging the stop element 25|, the cam 12 continues to exert pulling action on the link |11,

with the result that the cam member 205, to which said link is pivotally secured, is drawn inwardly and in turn through its action on the roller 28 carried by gear segment 225 causes said gear segment to rotate the pinion 224 and. as Said pin- The degree `of extension of said stop 20 ion is secured to the pivot or shaft 223ad of the fold bar 223, said bar is caused to turn and depress the free upper ends of the pressed together gussetfolded walls of the bag and cause said ends to be folded over the gage wire 25|, while the gage wire 239 beneath the wire 25| establishes a fold line pressing downwardly and inwardly against the covered contents of the bag. Thus a transverse fold is formed along the top of the bag in horizontal alinement with the underside of the heater, yor approximately thereto, as shown at 262, Figs, 16a and 16h. As the fold bar 223 has its pressure face 223e swinging toward the inner side or face of the heater 222, the trip arm 2519 on the pivot or shaft 25| of the fold bar 223 will engage the trip lever 251 on the fold-gage mechanism |45 and cause the gage wire 25| to swing downwardly out of the portion of the walls of the bag being folded, as clearly shown in Fig. 16a. By the time the fold is completed in the manner shown in Fig. 16", the gage wire 25| will have been withdrawn from the fold and will have closely approached the gage wire 239, both of which are now in positions to move rearwardly away from the bag as the fold-gage mechanism |45 is swung in that direction under action of its associated cam 14.

Since the bags are made of cellophane, waxcoated material, or some other suitable material that will be self-sealing under application of heat, the folds established under action of the fold bar 223 will be sealed, since when folded in the manner shown in Fig. 16b the fold will be thoroughly heated by the heater 222 and by the heat of the fold bar, established by induction from said heater. T

Under the final portion of each revolution of the cams 12 and 14, the nap-fold mechanism |44 and the gage-fold mechanism |45 are swung away from each other and during this time the secondary frame member will be returned to normal position within the primary frame member of the flap-folding mechanism under action of the spring 23|, and such independent action caused by said spring will result in the gear segment 225 returning the fold bar 223 from position shown in Figs. 16 and 1Gb to the position shown in Figs. 13 and 14.

As Aclearly shown in Fig. 16h and Fig. 25 a single sealed fold or flap-fold 262 will have been formed in which the wall portions in contact with each other and the folded parts of said wall portions will adhere to each other and the bag will not only be properly closed but will be sealed in an air-tight manner; the free ends of the bag walls extending at a right angle to the single sealed fold 263 in the form of a free terminal 264. The sealed flap-fold so formed extends upwardly from the top of the closed bag.

For most kinds of commodities the closing and sealing of the bag in the manner shown in Fig. 1Gb, or as shown in plan View in Fig. 26, is considered to meet all requirements. In some instances, however, a fold or nap-fold projecting upwardly from the closed bag is not considered desirable and for this reason, the bags being carried through the machine step-by-step may be subjected, when required, to the action of the supplemental folding and sealing mechanism |41 which is disposed above the lineof travel of the bags through the machine and is brought into action against the bags when the latter reach the positions indicated by dotted lines |46 in Fig. 6.

When in such positions, the bags are centrally disposed underneath the supplemental folding and sealing mechanism, The upper end of the 

